Martin is the Principal Advisor/Chief Architect in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and is head of business for Built Heritage, Architectural Policy and Strategic Infrastructure. He has specific responsibility for National Built Heritage Policy and Planning, Built Heritage Capital Investment Funding, the Government Policy on Architecture Implementation programme, National Landscape Strategy and bodies such as the Heritage Council and Waterways Ireland.

Previously within the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG), he was involved in various policy documents on Architecture and Urban Design, such as Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities 2007.

Martin has also held various positions in the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) such as professional practice examiner 2004-2007, RIAI Honorary Treasurer 2008-2009, RIAI Vice-President 2010, Chair RIAI Urban Design Committee 2010-2015. He is both a registered Architect and has an MSc Urban Design from UCD.